Exhibition Game Between MLB's L.A. Dodgers, Team Australia Draws Sparse Crowd In Sydney

A general view of the crowd for Thursday's exhibition game at the SCG. Sellouts are expected this weekend.

MLB's "historic" two-game series between the L.A. Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks "is all but sold out," but Thursday night's warm-up between the Dodgers and Team Australia "was a tougher sell," according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. It is not just the National Rugby League "struggling to attract crowds." The bays of empty seats "may have suggested that Sydneysiders, the fickelest of fans, shared the sentiments" of Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, who said he held ‘‘absolutely zero excitement’’ about the initiative. The turnout meant "those wanting to tick eating a metre-long hot dog" -- apparently A$40 ($36M) "well spent" -- off the bucket list "didn’t need to queue long to do so" (SMH, 3/21). MLB's presence in Sydney continues to generate plenty of interest from the media. The Sydney Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald both wrote detailed game stories from Thursday's exhibition game. The Sydney Morning Herald also wrote a feature story on Dodgers pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, and his relationship with Australia's 44-year-old pitcher Dae-sung Koo, who taught Ryu how to throw a changeup (SBD Global).